Alapag gives up slot as Chot names Asiad final lineup

MANILA, Philippines -- Jimmy Alapag made the supreme sacrifice of giving up his slot in the Asian Games to the younger players for the future of Phl basketball. 

Alapag along with Marcus Douthit, Beau Belga and Jay Washington were left out of the final 12 for the Asian Games in South Korea next month after the FIBA World Cup in Spain. 

National team coach Chot Reyes announced his final lineup for the Asian Games to the team and shortly on his Twitter account (@coachot) on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time), a day before the deadline. 

2014 ASIAN GAMES roster: Jayson, LA, Gary, Paul, Jeff, JD, Gabe, Ranidel, Marc Japeth, Junmar, Andray. #LabanPilipinasPUSO !

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 12, 2014

The 36-year old Gilas team captain has made the decision even before they left for training camp abroad.

"It's actually something I talked to coach Chot about even before training started for the World Cup. I told him no matter what happens with the final lineup for Spain, I feel it's best that it will be my last international tournament," Alapag told Philstar.com shortly after Reyes' announcement. 

Reyes has yet to name his final 12 for the World Cup where Alapag is expected to make the team as his farewell tour of duty for the national team. 

Paul Lee, who was impressive in the FIBA Asia Cup, got the slot to be vacated by Alapag while Jared Dillinger will fill in for Larry Fonacier, who opted to stay behind to recuperate from nagging injuries. 

"The Asian Games is the only big tournament before next year's FIBA Asia in China which is the Olympic qualifier, so it's important that those new guys build their own chemistry with each other now. I'm also excited for guys like Paul and JD (Dillinger). I have no doubt they will play their hearts out for our country," Alapag added. 

The Talk n Text point guard also told Reyes that he is willing to accompany the team to Korea if he's needed even if he's no longer in the final lineup. 

"I'd be willing to go and support the team. I'm just so proud of the progress we've made as a country with Phl basketball. It's been an absolute honor wearing our national colors. I owe a lot to Boss MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan) and coach Chot for the opportunity to represent our country for so many years. There really is no bigger honor as a professional, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of something special with all these guys," Alapag said. 

In 2002, Ron Jacobs and Jong Uichico brought Alapag to the Philippines to try out for the all-pro national team preparing for the Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Alapag, though, got injured and never saw action. He went up to the PBA as the 10th overall pick by Mobiline (now Talk n Text) the next year and became the steal of the draft winning the Rookie of the Year award. He enjoyed a successful career in the pro league winning multiple championships with Talk n Text and became the MVP in 2011. He also played for all the national teams except in 2009. 

Alapag is one of the biggest reasons why the country is back in the world championships after 36 agonizing years. 

He was instrumental in Gilas' silver medal run in last year's FIBA Asia Men's Championship hosted by the country. Aside from being the emotional leader of the team, he also drained a crucial triple in the dying seconds of their epic semifinal win against South Korea, which ended the so called "Korean curse" and earned the country a ticket to this year's FIBA World Cup in Spain. 

"Knowing the World Cup will be my last tournament, I've really just tried to embrace this last stint to the fullest. All the players and coaches work so hard to make everyone at home and all the kababayans around the world proud of their national team. It's just special to be part of it all. I know when we get to Seville, win or lose, the Philippines will be proud of their Gilas Pilipinas team," Alapag said. "And hopefully this is just another start of better things to come in the future."

Alapag felt it is the right time to hang his national jersey and perhaps, his PBA jersey would soon come next. 

He just recently opted for a one-year contract extension with Talk n Text hinting that his great run in the pro league is also nearing its end.